Shloka 6.7.24
राक्षसपरिषद्वाक्यम् — Counsel of the Rakshasa Court to Ravana
शक्तितोमरमीनंचविनिकीर्णान्त्रशैवलम् ।गजकछपसम्बाधमश्वमण्डूकसंकुलम् ।।6.7.22।।रुद्रादित्यमहाग्राहंमरुद्वसुमहोरगम् ।रथश्वगजतोयौघंपदातिपुलिनंमहत् ।।6.7.23।।अनेनहिसमासाद्यदेवानांबलसागरम् ।गृहीतोदैवतपतिर्लङ्कांचापिप्रवेशितः ।।6.7.24।।
anena hi samāsādya devānāṃ balasāgaram |
gṛhīto daivatapatiḥ laṅkāṃ cāpi praveśitaḥ ||6.7.24||
Indeed, after meeting that ocean-like host of the gods, he seized the lord of the gods (Indra) and even carried him into Laṅkā.
The counselors glorify an act of domination; the Dharmic counterpoint is that power without righteousness leads to bondage of the self—past ‘success’ in adharma is not a valid guide for present action.
They cite the episode of Indra’s capture to persuade Rāvaṇa that he need not fear the present crisis posed by Rāma and the vānaras.
The verse spotlights raw might (bala) as an argument; the epic’s broader teaching emphasizes that true excellence is restraint and adherence to Dharma, not mere conquest.